What's a Cool Billion Between Taxpayers, Anyway?

The International Space Station's impending disposal could prove quite costly for NASA, as the beancounters begin to count up the damage. The administration began running some figures for the overall cost of decommissioning all 450 tons of the ISS, and the rough figure sits at almost $1 billion. The costs wouldn't have been so bad in previous years, if they could make use of Russian assistance and their Progress vehicles. Under that older plan, the Russians would provide a series of the spacecraft to be connected to portions of the ISS to provide for a stabilized, controlled deorbit procedure.

Single-Engine Turboprop Gets All-Weather Capability

Epic Aircraft's E1000 GX turboprop gained FAA certification for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI), improving livability and safety for operators in an even greater number of missions. The certification was a long time coming, said Epic CEO Doug King. He said it was "one of the most challenging" that the company had faced during E1000 development. "We began testing several years ago, flying the E1000 GX in all of the FAA-specified natural icing conditions. This FAA certification establishes that the E1000 GX can withstand known icing conditions in a real-world operating environment with minimal changes required of the airplane."

Distributed Propulsion TBM Takes Flight Under Hybrid Power

A Daher TBM equipped with a suite of 6 electric motors took its first flight, going up for 100 minutes as the crew established function checks of major systems. The EcoPulse sports a hybrid powertrain, taking flight with a combined battery and turbogenerator arrangement that provides power to a series of electric motors mounted on each wing's leading edge. To power all those spinning props, the EcoPulse sports an 800 volt battery pack that can deliver up to 350 kilowatts of power, and keep them topped off with its turbogenerator to ensure the design does not suffer from the usual constraints of an all-battery aircraft.

2024 Bash Bigger than Ever

SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo 2024 will sport some big names from the country scene next year, with performances on tap from Trace Adkins and special guest Sara Evans starting off the week. Their show will kick things off on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, starting at 6 PM local, taking place on Warbird Ramp and its wide assortment of eye candy. It will start the show off on a high note, which will hopefully only get higher as the rest of the week's performers take to the skies.

American-Made Crop Duster Offers 200-lb Payload, 1-Minute Downtime

Guardian Agriculture says it's the first to utilize eVTOL aircraft in traditional agriculture operations, using a fleet of 4 "aviation-grade" aircraft to spray crops in the Salinas Valley. The company says its eVTOL drones "spray crops more efficiently, sustainably, and safely than traditional crop-dusters or ground-based equipment". Just one of their Guardian eVTOLs can cover "up to 60 acres per hour" and "carry a 200-pound payload". Downtime is pretty short, too, with a combined refueling and recharging time of "less than 1 minute".

NPRM Would Require Foreign Repair Stations to Implement Testing Program

The FAA wants certificated repair stations outside the USA to be held to the same standards as those inside it when their employees work on air carrier aircraft, according NPRM FAA-2012-1058. The rule would align domestic and international maintenance facilities, ensuring that "employees are held to the same high level of safety standards regardless of where they are physically located," according to the FAA. At the moment, they say "few countries require testing of aviation or maintenance personnel," a discomfiting idea to those familiar with the much more stringent programs in place stateside.

Also: Archer Aviation, TEKEVER and CRFS, Lunar Hydrogen, Norfolk FD Drones

ARC AeroSystems announced the return of the Avian Pegasus Gyroplane. Avian stemmed from employees of Avro Canada, designing their gyroplanes in Canada and ultimately producing 3 prototype pre-production aircraft to work through the certification process. Ultimately, the firm died out in the early 70s, with its assets put up for sale. One remaining prototype, along with the design's rights and type certification, found their way into ARC AeroSystems' hands in 2023. Stratolaunch LLC has continued its efforts to develop a Mach 5 capable aircraft, helped along by a fami

Klyde Can't Wait For The Chance To Make More Trouble

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Iowa Travelers Enjoy Refreshed, Expanded Terminals, Hangar

Signature Aviation announced the opening of a newly built private aviation facility at Des Moines International Airport (DSM), improving the flying experience in a large Iowa hub. The greenfield project features a 5,000 sq ft guest terminal sporting the now-ubiquitous interior design of nicely furnished business lounges. The vibes are matched by a "host of premium amenities engineered to streamline travel," like a lounge with expansive views of the surroundings, conference suites, an internet cafe, and a fully stocked coffee bar. Crew even get their own lounge areas, allowing for comfortably separated rest from their charges while they prep for the next leg.

Negotiations to Come, but at Least the Announcement Seems Positive

Hawaiian Airlines pilots in the ALPA Master Executive Committee likewise commented on the impending merge with Alaska Airlines, stating they were looking forward to a "bright and productive future as a single, unified pilot group." Hawaiian Airlines is a bit different from the norm among carriers, being a homegrown interisland operator from the outset. Locals are understandably wary about "big city folk" coming in to start shuffling routes for a vital form of transportation in such an expensive market. It's easy for those accustomed to mainland operations to see the apparent money sink that far-flung aircraft operations are, but Alaska should be the closest thing to a kindred

From 2015 (YouTube Version): Aerovate's Kondor Shows Off A Unique Prop Technology

While at the 2014 Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) convention, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell came across something called a “passive variable pitch propeller.” Andrew Kondor, the president of Aerovate, Inc. accepted the task of explaining to Jim what it’s all about. He said it’s a propeller that changes pitch without the use of electronics or hydraulics. You’ll have to watch the video to get the full story, but Kondor explained it senses the load on the engine to make the adjustments in the

Observed The Accident Airplane Flying South, Before It Began A Left Circling Turn With A “White Mist” Trailing The Airplane

On October 31, 2023, at 1123 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA32-300, N44601, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Marion, Ohio. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness stated that he was standing outside his house when he heard an airplane flying in the distance and the engine sounded like it was “oscillating.’ He looked up and observed the accident airplane flying south, before it began a left circling turn with a “white mist” trailing the airplan

Aero Linx: American Astronautical Society (AAS) Formed in 1954, the American Astronautical Society (AAS) is the premier independent scientific and technical group in the United States exclusively dedicated to the advancement of space science and exploration. They strongly support NASA's Vision for Space Exploration, and are members of the Coalition for Space Exploration and the Space Exploration Alliance. They are also committed to strengthening the global space program through cooperation with international space organizations.

Close Parallel Runways Two parallel runways whose extended centerlines are separated by less than 4,300 feet and at least 3000 feet (750 feet for SOIA operations) for which ATC is authorized to conduct simultaneous independent approach operations. PRM and simultaneous close parallel appear in approach title. Dual communications, special pilot training, an Attention All Users Page (AAUP), NTZ monitoring by displays that have aural and visual alerting algorithms are required. A high update rate surveillance sensor is required for certain runway or approach course spacing.

“We confirmed today that this disruptive propulsion system works in flight, which paves the way for more sustainable aviation. The lessons learned from upcoming flight tests will feed into our technology roadmap and strengthen our position as leader in future all-electric and hybrid-electric propulsive systems.” Source: Eric Dalbiès, Safran’s Executive Vice President Strategy and Chief Technology Officer, as a Daher TBM equipped with a suite of 6 electric motors took its first flight, going up for 100 minutes as the crew established function checks of major systems.